Nathan Sharpe ready to quit

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Sydney - Despite being beckoned back to the Test stage, Wallabies veteran second-rower Nathan Sharpe, is not expected to change his decision to retire from rugby next month.

The 34-year-old Sharpe, who will play his 102nd Test when
the Wallabies play Scotland in Newcastle on Tuesday, has for some
time planned to give the game away at the end of the Super Rugby season.

To force him to keep going for the inaugural Rugby
Championship against Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa later in
the year will require some persuasion from Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

''I'm still retiring at the end of Super Rugby,'' Sharpe said.

''This being the first year when we've had inbound Tests
during the [Super Rugby] competition probably confused the issue a
little bit. As I said to Robbie at the start of the year, if he wanted
me I'd love to play for the country.''

Asked if he had any thoughts of continuing through to the
Rugby Championship, Sharpe said: ''It's just time. I've got a young
family and there's other things I want to do. I've loved my time in
rugby, but I want to finish on a high, and finish off contributing to
whatever team I am involved as well as I can.''

What about an SOS from the Wallabies selectors?

''You never say never to anything, but I haven't had that conversation. At this stage I will be hanging my boots on July 14.''

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